Julie Rocks the GOTR 5K!

Julie Norman, soon-to-be world famous first-time 5K'er granted The Daily Sentinel this EXCLUSIVE interview after her first and very successful Girls on the Run 5K last Saturday. Julie and Lynn before the race began. What made you decide to start running? I wanted some type of aerobic winter activity that I could do fairly quickly, by streetlight, and during the week...I’m not a member of a gym and I don’t have room in my condo for a treadmill...so running seemed like a good choice. Then Lynn suggested a 10K in December and that got me motivated. What was your training schedule like for the 5K? Well, when the 5K came around I was training for the 10K...I followed a pretty tough training schedule developed on runnersworld.com but mainly tried to focus on running 2 miles...then upping it to 3...then to 4. Mostly I was doing 2 easy runs a week and one longer run on the weekends. So far I’ve made it to 5 miles on a Saturday and I average about 11-12 miles a week. That will increase over the next few weeks. What did you like best and least about the GOTR 5K? I loved the whole atmosphere of the race! It was laid back, everyone was welcoming, and it had that “everyone’s a winner” feel to it. I hated running in the grass although I’m sure it was helpful for my shins. What would you do differently or the same? For that type of race I don’t know that I would do anything differently...except maybe pick up the pace in the last mile. I ran like I always run—slow and steady. I kept my breathing regulated and had a good time. I think those are the best things you can do! The mob of runners. What did you wear on race day and did you plan it in advance? On race day I was wearing a pair of long Nike running/walking pants and a short-sleeved Nike tee. They’re my sponsors. Just kidding...the shirt is wicking and the pants are comfy. I planned it ahead of time based on Tips/Advice from Karah who said to dress like it was 15-20 degrees warmer than it actually was. I wore my same running socks (Smartwool) and shoes (Adidas I think) that I always wear. What advice or words of encouragement do you have for other beginning 5K’ers? Don’t overtrain or you’ll get shin splints. If you’ve NEVER run before, even if you do lots of other sports like I did, I really suggest following a plan like the Couch to 5K...the combo of walking/running helps you to recover faster and more efficiently. Most of all, just do it! Get out there and have fun! Don’t stress about being slow or think that you’re not good enough—you’re out there trying, which is more than a lot of people! How much is the Wheaties contract? I signed a non-disclosure agreement so I can’t give out that information. What’s your plans for the next few weeks leading up to the Winter Sun 10K? Slow and steady. I know I can run it, since I’ve run 5 miles...I figure momentum and adrenaline will push me through. Still, I plan to start upping the mileage...4 today, 6 Saturday...next week I’ll repeat with an easy 2 miler, then a 4 miler, then a 6 miler...the week of the race I really plan to take it easy. I want to run it and run it without injury and that means resting so that my shin doesn’t hurt at all! Anything else you’d like to tell our readers? I always thought that I hated running. I’m a biker, a skier, a hiker and backpacker...but I’d never been a runner...when you think about it though, running can be a solitary sport, just like all those others that I love! Just try it. Or try anything. Just get outside! The air and sunshine is such good therapy! At the finish of the race - looking just as fresh as the beginning! For another runner's story on the GOTR Harbert Lumber 5K - go here.